Hundreds of boats used as homes in London as numbers soar

Posted by Waterway Watcher on December 17th, 2016

As the number of boats on the Canal & River Trust’s London’s waterways* continues to increase, research for the first time shows just how many people are making their homes on boats in the capital, the charity reports today.

House prices across London remain unreachable for many and hundreds of people have taken to the water as boats are perceived as more achievable: but the differing needs of liveaboard boaters is placing unprecedented pressure on the waterways’ infrastructure, the charity warns.

An explosion in boat numbers in recent years (a 57% increase since 2012) prompted the Trust – the charity that’s working to make London’s canals better – to carry out its first ever “Who’s On London’s Boats” survey to build a picture of the capital’s boating community in an effort to understand and meet their needs. The results show that boat living is increasingly seen as a viable alternative lifestyle by many, particularly younger, people and those living alone or as couples.

Matthew Symonds, boating strategy & engagement manager at Canal & River Trust, said: “London’s waterways are busier than ever before and this survey shows that they are providing a place to live for hundreds of people. It’s fantastic that so many people love the capital’s canals and rivers but the increasing numbers of people choosing to live on the water is bringing new challenges. We’ve done this research so that we can work together with local authorities, developers and boaters themselves to make sure that their needs are met.”

Who are London’s boaters?
· 769 boaters – 58% of the total respondents – describe their boat as their primary residence, with a further 156 saying the boat is either a second or temporary home.
· 50% have been living on boats on London’s waterways for three years of less.
· 50% cite financial reasons as motivation for living on a boat; but an overwhelming 82% are attracted by the waterway environment (boats, wildlife, tranquillity etc).
· 41% of those living on boats are under 35 years old.
· 43% of those living on boats live alone, with 42% living as part of a cohabiting couple.
· 70% own their boats outright.

While boaters have always been synonymous with London’s waterways, this is a fast-growing community, with a 57% increase of boats in the capital since 2012. This research shows that a significant number of these new arrivals are living on the waterways, and the needs reported by respondents reflect the challenges of this shift.

Living aboard can be substantially different to living on land. 558 surveys were completed by boats with a home mooring – somewhere a boat can be kept all the time – while 486 surveys were completed by boats without a home mooring. Boats without home moorings, known as continuous cruisers, are required to move their boats every 14 days in a journey that annually covers a significant portion of London’s waterways. With boaters needing to empty their toilets, fill up with water, charge their batteries and find fuel for their stoves, as well as cruise to find mooring space on often crowded spots, continuous cruising can be like a part-time job.

What do London’s boaters want?
· The top five improvements people want to see are: more mooring places; more mooring rings; water points; more Elsan (toilet emptying) facilities; more dredging.
· 45% would have an interest in securing a permanent mooring if available.
· The most important qualities in a mooring (other than price) are: somewhere people feel personally safe; good services nearby (sewage and rubbish); public transport nearby.

Matthew Symonds continues: “If you live on your boat, especially if you continuously cruise, you need regular and consistent access to mooring space and facilities and, in an increasingly busy environment, this can be a challenge: the growth in boat numbers is moving at a faster pace than we can upgrade the infrastructure. We are looking at ways we can improve things through our London Mooring Strategy, which aims to address the unique challenges and opportunities of boating in the capital, and these results will help inform its development.

“Living afloat is not the same as living in a house but for many people the lower-cost entry point, not to mention the attractions of a strong community, low-impact living and the charms of the waterway environment, means that it is an attractive option. Our advice is not to see living aboard as a way of saving money as there can be many hidden costs, including time: looking after your boat can be like having a part-time job!

“London’s waterways are for all boaters and it’s important that we manage the space fairly for everyone. The survey has given us greater insight into who’s living on our waterways and their needs. Now is our opportunity to gather partners together across the board to make sure that this happens.”

*The Trust’s London waterways comprise the Grand Union Canal (to Rickmansworth), the Regent’s Canal, the River Lee Navigation (to Hertford), the River Stort Navigation (to Bishop’s Stortford), the Hertford Union Canal and the Limehouse Cut. The results do not include boats moored on the Thames, which is not managed by the Canal & River Trust.